This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
Colorism in the Kenyan Media ¶
June 19, 2020 - The Black Lives Matter movement has sparked conversations about racism and inequality worldwide, but in Kenya, a similar issue of colorism has been quietly affecting the lives of many.
Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara has spoken out against the media industry's favoritism towards lighter-skinned women, sharing her personal experiences with colorism in a recent Instagram post.
Okwara, who is of darker skin tone, has faced discrimination and bias in her career, with some people assuming that she needs to work harder to succeed because of her skin color.
She recalled an incident where she was told that she needed to be 'smarter' because she didn't have 'the looks,' implying that lighter-skinned women have an advantage in the industry.
Okwara's plea is for the media industry to recognize and address colorism, which she believes is a major issue in Kenya. She urges people to examine their own biases and to work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society.
Okwara's words are a powerful reminder that colorism is a real issue in Kenya, and that it's time for the media industry to take responsibility for promoting diversity and inclusion.
